True caper bush

Seeds: 25  / Botanical name: Capparis spinosa

The spicy and tangy taste of Mediterranean cuisine

The caper bush is small, easy to care for, and heat-tolerant. Pea-sized flower buds grow on stems from the leaf axils of its long branches. The capers used in cooking are not the plant's fruit, but rather the unopened flower buds, preserved raw and dried in a mixture of salt, vinegar, and oil. If the flower buds are not removed, the caper bush produces delicate pink flowers, about four centimeters across, with clusters of purple stamens. These develop into small, cucumber-like fruits, which are often served as tapas or a side dish in Spain.

Natural habitat: The true caper bush is native to the entire Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia, where it prefers to grow on rocks and in crevices in walls.